HP DV6 error

I have an HP DV6-2155dx laptop that I have been working on for a month. When I power it up, all I get is a single flash of the LED's. HP site says this is a CPU problem. I replaced the CPU (an Intel I3) with a known good one but still no boot. I sent the motherboard off to be repaired by a reputable board repair site. They "reflowed" the board, etc. but still could not get it to boot and they returned it. Before I junk it, I thought I would just see if anyone has any ideas. No sound at all when you turn it on. I unplugged the fan and put a 3 volt source across it and the fan turned and ran. However, it never turns on when I give it power. I have removed the battery and drained the computer and reset a hundred times. No joy. With no power, I can't run any diagnostics. It never goes into POST.

 

I've seen this issue on several HP i3 series notebooks. I know a motherboard repair guy who can fix almost anything; even he has problems trying to repair this model series.

Since it appears you've tried almost everything, I'd move on and get a new one (but stay away from HP). If the rest of the PC is in good shape, I'd try and cut your losses by selling it on eBay "for parts or not working" - someone else may have a working one with a damaged screen/case and be willing to buy yours for parts.

 

After a no go reflow, your only option is really a replacement board, or a new laptop. I'd go with whichever costs less.

That includes time, and aggravation...

 

If I go with a new motherboard, it is my understanding that I won't be able to use the Windows 7 license on the old system because HP "tattoo's" the key into the motherboard. Will Microsoft allow for a license transfer, even though it is OEM, because of motherboard replacement? Will I have to buy a new Windows 7 license?

 

It's my understanding that if you replace the motherboard with another OEM motherboard, the license is still valid.

 

Thanks!. You got me to searching the question. I thought a new license had to be purchased. Here is the specific answer from Microsoft. I thought it might help anyone else having my problem. Now all I have to do is figure out what process Microsoft will require to prove the motherboard was defective.

From: http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_faq.aspx#fbid=mYfRV6plq2P

Q. Can a PC with an OEM Windows operating system have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?
A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the Microsoft Software License Terms and the support of the software covered by those terms. The Microsoft Software License Terms are a set of usage rights granted to the end user by the PC manufacturer, and relate only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The system builder is required to support the software on the original PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PCs with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define the original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original system builder did not manufacture this new PC, and therefore cannot be expected to support it.

 

Thought I would update what is going on with this. Maybe it will help someone else.
Apparently, the HP dv6 series of laptops are infamous for having this kind of error. Hit the power key and just get a single flash of the LED's, which repeats just the single flash every 5 seconds or so. HP site says it is a CPU error.
I had the Motherboard "reflowed" and rebuilt and supposedly repaired. Did not work.
I bought another CPU. Tested good in another laptop. Did not work.
Took motherboard out and pulled everything off but the cpu and fan and plugged it in. Lo and behold, it went into post. No screen hooked up, but definitely went further than single LED flash.
Started putting laptop back together, testing every step of the way to see what would change from booting into POST into the flashing LED. Mounting peripheals did not change anything. However, when I went to snap on the top of the case, it went from booting to single flash.
Obviously, there is a short somewhere but I am having a devil of a time finding it.
Does anyone have any idea what could be shorting out to cause this? It only happens when I snap the case together and put in the first set of screws in the back to hold it.
I now have a second motherboard I don't need and a second cpu I don't need. Case is not damaged and owner swears she never dropped it. I cannot figure out what is causing the short. No signs of anything deformed anywhere. All plastic covers appear to be in place.